The Atkins Diet Revisited: An up-to-date Review

The Atkins diet, like many other fad diets, is not a new concept at all. Dr. Atkins published his first book ‘Dr Atkins’ Diet Revolution; the high calorie way to stay thin forever’ way back in 1972. Since then the Atkins’ diet has had surges and dips in popularity over the years, but is still going strong.

The modern day version of the Atkin’s diet has slightly tweaked the original formula. but the general principle stays the same. The Atkins plan remains the best-selling diet book of all time. The Atkins’ diet is another weight loss plan, similar to the HCG diet that is surrounded by hype, controversy and a whole heap of confusing and contradictory information. As usual, Moose and Doc will be unravelling the Atkins’ diet in a balanced and fun way based on sound scientific evidence.

I’d like a double cheeseburger with extra bacon. No bun thanks, I’m on the Atkins’ diet.

Is that the one where you can eat as many calories as you like?

Oh Yes. It’s VERY controversial all in all.

What is the Atkins Diet?

The Atkins diet, in all it’s various reincarnations, is a very low-carbohydrate diet plan. The original version of the Atkins diet allowed unlimited amounts of proteins, such as meat, sausages, bacon, fish and eggs and high-fat foods as well including dairy products and cheese whilst severely limiting all carbohydrates. The latest version of the Atkins diet, sometimes known as the modified Atkins diet, does put limits on the high-protein and high-fat content of the eating plan but still recommends only around 12 to 15 grams of ‘net carbs‘ a day. The Reference Intake RI (previously Guideline Daily amounts GDA) is around 230 grams of carbohydrates per day.

I’m on a low-carb diet, whenever I feel low I eat carbs!

What to eat on the Atkins Diet

As mentioned, the Atkins diet is the mother of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets. The modern version has 4 phases but you can be fairly fluid with these according to your needs. There are some basic rules throughout all the phases.

Foods to be avoided

Trans-fats: These are the ‘unhealthy’ fats that have undergone a hydrogenation process. Trans-fats are found in a LOT of processed foods including cakes, cookies, pastries, chips, tacos and popcorn, fried foods and margarine.

Sugar: Any products with sugar including soft and fizzy drinks, sweets, cakes and chocolate etc.

Foods you can Eat

The advised amount of protein consumption per meal is between 4 – 6 ounces, depending on your height and gender, on the Atkins diet. Now, theDietary Reference Intake (DRI), which is the recommended daily amount of protein per day, is 46 grams for the average woman and 56 grams for the average man. The Atkins diet is suggesting 113 grams per meal for the average woman and a whopping 170 grams of protein per meal for the average man.

Good news! I’ve found a pizza recipe for the Atkins diet.

You can eat Pizza?

Well … the crust is actually a thin layer of ground beef or turkey.

That’s like making a sausage into a round and calling it a donut.

Phases of the Atkins Diet

Phase 1 or the Induction Phase (14 Days)

The general principles of all stages of the Atkins diet are set out above. It is mainly the carbohydrate content that differs in each ‘phase’. In phase 1 the Atkins diet recommends that no more than 20 grams of ‘net carbs’ should be eaten in any one day. There is a whole list of low-carbohydrate vegetables and salads to choose from in the induction phase. The 20 grams is divided per day into 12 to 15 grams of vegetables, this equates to about one to two cups (depending on the carb content) and six cups of lettuce or salad leaves.

The Induction phase of the Atkins diet is a very-low-carbohydrate diet. The Institute of Medicine and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that 45 to 65 % of an adults total caloric intake should be carbohydrates – this is around 130 grams per day.

What exactly are ‘net carbs’ Doc?

Net carbs are the total grams of carbohydrates take away the fiber content and sugar alcohol of any food.

Maths as well? This is getting worse and worse.

Phase 2 (Balancing phase)

Those undergoing the Atkins diet can stay on the induction phase for longer than 2 weeks if they want to continue losing weight fast. The Atkins diet suggests that phase 2 of the plan should be started when you are 15 pounds off your goal weight. Phase 2 is described as a transitional stage to a more permanent low-carb eating plan.

You can now add a few more carbohydrates including fruit such as berries and melon, non-starchy vegetables and nuts. The aim is to find out your personal carbohydrate limits so that you continue to lose weight. The atkins nutritional approach suggests a carbohydrate intake of between 25 and 60 grams of net carbs for phase 2. Keeping track of your weight is essential at this phase to determine which foods cause weight gain.

Low-carbohydrate diet … Come on … you mean famine!

Phase 3: (Pre-maintenance)

This phase of the diet should be undertaken when you are 10 lbs off your ideal weight. Now more carbohydrates are gradually added whilst slowly losing weight. Fruit, whole grains and starchy vegetables can be eaten in Phase 3. The Atkins diet suggests that you increase your carbohydrate intake by 10 grams per week in this phase. Once you have achieved your goal weight you need to continue in phase 3 for around a month.

Phase 4: (Maintenance)

The final phase of the Atkins diet plan is maintaining your new weight. The whole aim is to find what is referred to as your ‘carb balance’ or ‘carb tolerance’. This involves learning how many grams of net carbs that you can consume without gaining weight. The carbohydrates that you can eat in phase 4 are the same as in Phase 3. Once you are in the maintenance phase the Atkins approach suggests that you now decrease your saturated fat intake.

So you’ve done the Paleo diet, the Military diet and now you’re on the Atkins. Ever heard of the common sense diet?

How do low-carbohydrate diets work?

Very-low carbohydrate or low-carbohydrate diets have been shown in numerous medical studies to promote successful short-term weight loss. The theory is, that when you cut out carbohydrates, which the body normally uses as an instant energy source, the body switches to using stored fat as the main energy supply. Furthermore, a very low carbohydrate eating plan lowers the production of insulin and fat and protein (muscle mass) are used as energy. This process is known as ketosis because ketones are produced as the body breaks down fat. This is why the Atkins diet is also referred to as a ketogenic diet.

Is it good to be in a permanent state of ketosis, Doc?

There can be some unpleasant side effects such as breath and urine smell of acetone (fruity). Nausea and constipation are also common.

Hmmm … doesn’t sound great.

What are the benefits of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet?

This is one of the many issues that medical experts can not seem to agree upon. On the one hand there are those that have found positive benefits. One 2004 study examined the long-term effects (although I would not necessarily call 24 weeks ‘long-term’) of a ketogenic diet for weight loss and concluded that these diets:-

Some studies have suggested that low-carb diets, such as the Atkins plan can help with:-

Metabolic syndrome: This is a group of risk factors for heart disease and includes high blood sugar, abdominal fat, high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Insulin resistance

Type II Diabetes

What are the problems of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet?

On the other hand, because the ketogenic diet has been used long-term for the treatment of epilepsy, there is some worrying scientific research on the long-term side effects. One research study examined 129 patients on the ketogenic diet over a six year period and found the following health issues:-

Elevated levels of blood triglycerides: High levels of fatty molecules in the blood are associated with atherosclerosis (furred arteries) and heart disease.

Hyperuricemia: high levels of uric acid in the blood. Elevated levels of uric acid have been linked with gout.

Elevated cholesterol levels

Hepatitis

More susceptible to infectious diseases

Pancreatitis

Kidney stones

Anemia

Wow! That’s all contradictory and confusing. What do you think Doc?

I think that there is enough scientific evidence to suggest that low-carbohydrate diets may work for weight loss in the short-term, but we do not know enough to assess long term risks. I believe that ALL fad diets lead to weight gain in the long-term and we should be moving towards a more sustainable, healthy eating plan that does not exclude any of the major food groups.

The Atkins Diet Controversy

The Atkins diet was initially criticised for the high fat and calorie content of the foods advocated. The whole debate involved the long held medical view that a high level of saturated fat in the diet carried an increased risk for unhealthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease.

There is no doubt that numerous medical studies have shown that weight loss on a low-carbohydrate diet is equal to, or greater than, weight loss on a low-fat diet. However, there has been a long history of studies that suggested that saturated fat intake is actually associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Major health institutes such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Heart Association and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all hold that reducing dietary saturated fats reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, other recent studies are now questioning the validity of these long-held principles. One 2009 meta-analysis that examined 21 studies involving around 350,00 people over a 14 year period concluded that there is no link between heart disease, stroke and the intake of dietary saturated fat.

Why is there so much contradictory evidence on these issues?

Well, as science advances and more studies are carried out then previously held views may be challenged. This is how breakthroughs in knowledge happen.

You also have to look at who is doing the research and why.

You old cynic, Hector.

Final word on the Atkins Diet

Nutrition as a whole is such a complex issue and whether increased consumption of saturated fats directly leads to heart disease or not is irrelevant to my views on the Atkins diet.

Any nutritional plan or diet where you need to take additional vitamin and mineral supplements is not healthy in my opinion. An ideal balanced diet should provide ALL the basic nutrients from ALL the food groups that we need for optimal health. Cutting back on fruit and vegetables is NOT a good idea whereas cutting back on sugar, refined carbohydrates and trans-fats is.

I can not endorse a diet with such a severely restricted carbohydrate intake. Not all carbohydrates are bad, many contain fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Unless you are going to stay on a low-carb diet long term as soon as a more well-rounded diet and eating habits are undertaken the weight will return. Furthermore, there are not yet sufficient research studies to show the health effects of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein and fat regime in the long-term, but there is some worrying emerging evidence.

Don’t fall for fad diets or gimmicks. The only tried and tested way to lose 10 pounds in 48 hours is food poisoning.